---
title: "Understanding your invoice"
summary: "The big number at the top is what you still owe, and it becomes the invoice total once the bill is settled. Underneath, who is claiming from your insurer."
source: https://practor.app/en-za/help/billing-and-claims/understanding-your-invoice
published: 2026-09-14T06:45:13.760Z
updated: 2026-09-29T07:14:58.955Z
category: "Billing and claims"
---

Open **Invoices** and choose one. The big number at the top reads **Still to pay** while you owe something, and **Invoice total** once the invoice is settled. Underneath it says where the payment stands: **Not yet paid**, **Part paid** with the date, or **Paid in full** with the date and how you paid.

## The lines

Each line is one thing that was done during your visit, with the code your practice billed it under. That code is what your insurer reads.

## The amounts

| | |
| --- | --- |
| Subtotal | The cost of the lines above |
| VAT | Shown only when there is any |
| Paid | What has reached the practice so far, from you or your insurer |
| Balance | What's left |

Payments appear underneath the totals as they come in, so you can see what was paid and when.

![A patient invoice: what was charged for, the insurer code, and the totals](https://res.cloudinary.com/drmnydbcs/image/upload/c_limit,w_1600/f_auto,q_auto:good/v1/help/portal/invoice.png?_a=BAMAOGDh0#1128x435 "The code on each line is what your insurer reads.")

## Who is claiming

Every invoice has a card saying where the insurance stands, because that changes what you have to do. It reads one of eight headings. The words under it name your practice, and the claim reference where there is one.

| What the card says | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Your practice will claim this | Nothing. They send it for you, and bill you for whatever is left afterwards |
| Your practice already claimed this | Nothing. They are waiting on a reply |
| Your practice is sorting this out | Nothing. Something went wrong with the claim and they are working through it |
| Your medical insurance accepted this claim | Nothing |
| Your medical insurance paid part of this claim | Settle the balance below. The card lists the steps |
| Your medical insurance declined this claim | Ask your practice what your insurer said. If your insurer won't cover it, the balance is yours |
| Claim this back yourself | Download the PDF and send it to your insurer. The card lists the steps |
| Nothing to claim | Nothing. The practice wrote the invoice off |

The wording is the same for everyone, so searching the heading on your invoice brings you here.

One thing takes that card over. Once an invoice is past its due date it reads **Payment was due** and the date, and the invoice is badged **Overdue** in your list. That's about the money rather than the insurance, so if a claim is still running, ask your practice where it got to.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> When the card reads **Claim this back yourself**, send it soon. Most insurers reject claims older than four months, and the card says so.

## Paying

Your practice takes payment its own way, so pay them as you normally would. Once it reaches them the invoice updates, and the payment joins the list underneath the totals.

The badge on the invoice follows the money: **Unpaid**, then **Part paid**, then paid. You never set it.

## If something looks wrong

Ask your practice. They're looking at the same invoice you are, including what the insurer sent back, so you won't have to explain it from scratch.

## Related

- [What happens after you book an appointment](/help/scheduling/what-happens-when-you-book)
- [Who can see your records](/help/patients-and-records/who-can-see-my-records)